Page 73 of Love in Riverbend
Last night, I called Chloe. She was as wonderful as ever, coming to our house so that Molly could stay asleep. Since today is Sunday, Chloe doesn’t have patients.
As I sit here, I’m wondering if she’s awake and if Chloe has spoken to Molly. Being that it’s not even six in the morning, I’m afraid to call and wake them. It was after midnight when Chloe arrived. I also called Dax. We didn’t talk long. I am too emotional and feel too uninformed to tell him much of anything.
There’s a part of me that’s happy I have him to call—to talk with. Right now, it’s the part of me that I’m trying to hold onto. If Dax and I can come back together, miracles are possible, and Dad will be okay.
Justin taps my arm. “You want to go with me to the cafeteria? We could get Mom something to eat.”
Mom looks up at us.
“I can stay with Mom,” I offer.
Mom shakes her head. “I’m okay. I’d like a yogurt if there’s any.”
“And coffee?” Justin asks.
“Only if it’s better than what they have up here on this floor.”
Going to Mom, I crouch down. “Are you sure? Justin can get everything. I hate to leave you alone.”
Mom nods. “Walk around. You have your phones. I can call.”
When I look at my brother, he nods.
It feels good to walk, to be out of the uncomfortable chairs. I lean my head against Justin’s shoulder once we’re inside the elevator and close my eyes.
“Have you gotten any sleep?” he asks.
“I don’t think so.” I shake my head. “It’s all a blur.”
The doors open and more people enter.
As we’re walking the hallways, the same ones we did six years ago when Dad had his first heart attack, I scrunch my nose and say, “Why do hospitals smell?”
“Because no one wants to be here.”
The cafeteria is filling with people as workers place items in the different bins and the grill is firing up with eggs and bacon.
“Are you hungry?” he asks.
“No. You?”
He shakes his head. “Just some decent coffee.”
“Me too. I’ll get Mom’s yogurt.”
It’s as I’m reaching into the ice and choosing a flavor that someone comes up behind me. I’m a bit put off by the proximity, ready to call for Justin, when I turn and am met with the most handsome golden stare. I can’t believe my eyes.
Is he a hallucination?
“Dax?”
My head shakes as I forget about the yogurt and lift my arms to his shoulders. He wraps me in his embrace, and for a moment, I’m safe. When I look up, there are new tears in my eyes. “How did you get here? How did you know where we were?”
“How are you?”
“Surprised to see you.”
His eyes are tired, yet he forces a smile. “Remember me saying that I’ve been recalling a few things?”
